Circular route via Essuyadou, Baisse des Charretiers, and the summit of Malavalette

Park at the Maison Forestière du Malpey car park, accessible from the Col du Testanier via the DN7. This is also the road to Mont Vinaigre.

(S/E) Walk past the forest house on the left, then take a faint track on the right which quickly joins a track.

(1) Cross this track and head straight ahead. After about a hundred metres, turn left onto the GR® marked trail heading south-west, which follows the contour lines. Reach a junction.

(2) Leave the GR®, head straight on along a path heading due south, alongside the Grand Porfait. Reach the Carrefour de Roche Noire.

(3) Take the Essuyadou track opposite and reach the pass of the same name.

(4) Turn left onto the path that winds around the hills, offering beautiful views of the Gulf of Fréjus. Go round the summit of Bonnet de Capelan on the right and arrive at a junction.

(5) Keep left to follow the path which climbs back up to the Essuyadou track. Follow this, turning right, and reach the Carrefour Castelli.

(6) Ignore the tracks and head straight ahead, under the tree, onto a faint path that descends to a ford, which can be difficult to cross in wet weather (see practical information if required). Then follow the Castelli track to the right, cross the Pont de Sigallon and arrive at a junction about a hundred metres further on.

(7) Take the path that climbs up to the left into the valley and leads to Baisse Andoulette.

(8) Ignore the track and take the path that climbs to the left through the forests of cork oaks and eucalyptus trees to reach Baisse des Charretiers.

(9) Walk past the old forest house and follow the flat path due west through the eucalyptus forest. You will reach a large crossroads near a cistern at Plan Esterel.

(10) Take the path that climbs to the left to the Sommet des Malavalettes to admire the view.

(11) Continue along the path, which curves to the left and heads south.

(12) Follow the yellow trail to the left to head back down. Turn right after about a hundred metres and you’ll come out onto the Piste des Malavalettes.

(13) Take this track to the right for a few metres, then take the path that descends to the left into the valley and crosses scree slopes.

(14) Cross the stream and immediately head up the snail-shaped path which skirts a small peak to the right before coming to a junction.

(15) Keep heading in the same direction and reach the start of a path at a sharp bend to the right.

(16) Take the hairpin bend to the right and head towards the junction at the Cantine du Petit Porfait.

(17) Turn right to head back up the track to the Maison Forestière du Malpey and return to the car park (S/E).

There are no water sources or shelters along the route.
As the paths are often stony, good footwear is essential.
Take precautions against the sun, especially in summer.

Alternatives

(S/E) You can continue along the road to reach (1).

(2) You can follow the path on the left which passes through the Grand Porfait and rejoins the route described not far from (3).

(6) After heavy rain, you can avoid the ford by continuing left to join the Piste Castelli. Then turn right to rejoin the route.

(8) You can take the track on the left to La Baisse des Charretiers.